Trailside
Encyclopedia
Trailside: Make Your Own Adventure is the longest running outdoor "how-to" adventure public television series. It aired in the USA on non-commercial public television stations, distributed to them first by American Public Television, Boston, and later by National Educational Telecommunications Association, Columbia, South Carolina.
Episodes were originally produced by New Media, Inc., based in Westport, CT (Seasons 1-3). Seasons 1 and 2, the series was partnered with Rodale Publications' BACKPACKER Magazine, and hosted by John Viehman, BACKPACKER's editor. Eventually, Rodale wanted a greater ownership in the series, and failing that, split off to create their own ANYPLACE WILD program.
Noted mountaineer Peter Whittaker took over hosting duties, as the series continued to team him up with guest experts providing the audience information with tips and advice on popular outdoor activities. Going into the fourth season, New Media ran into financial straits and leadership of the company was turned over to TLN Productions based out of West Palm Beach, Florida
. Under TLN's direction, the series became more infomercial in nature, as underwriting for individual episodes was picked up primarily by local tourism groups around the U.S.
The series was underwritten by Chevy Trucks, L.L. Bean and Hi-Tec apparel in Seasons 1 and 2. Other sponsors over the following two years included Chevy Trucks, Weider Nutrition and Michelin Tires.
John Viehman was Series Host for the first three seasons (45 episodes) of Trailside, from 1992-1995. Backpacker magazine also remained involved with the series during this time. Viehman went on to create a new outdoor adventure series on PBS, "Anyplace Wild," which aired from 1997 through 2001.
Overview
Trailside: Make Your Own Adventure is a six-time Emmy-nominated series that brought the outdoors to millions of viewers each week. The series premiered in 1993 and, at its peak, was available to over 80 million households via Public Television as well as the Outdoor Life Network. Internationally, Trailside was seen on NHK in Japan, TSN in Canada and NBC's Super Channel in 32 European countries.Episodes were originally produced by New Media, Inc., based in Westport, CT (Seasons 1-3). Seasons 1 and 2, the series was partnered with Rodale Publications' BACKPACKER Magazine, and hosted by John Viehman, BACKPACKER's editor. Eventually, Rodale wanted a greater ownership in the series, and failing that, split off to create their own ANYPLACE WILD program.
Noted mountaineer Peter Whittaker took over hosting duties, as the series continued to team him up with guest experts providing the audience information with tips and advice on popular outdoor activities. Going into the fourth season, New Media ran into financial straits and leadership of the company was turned over to TLN Productions based out of West Palm Beach, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Under TLN's direction, the series became more infomercial in nature, as underwriting for individual episodes was picked up primarily by local tourism groups around the U.S.
The series was underwritten by Chevy Trucks, L.L. Bean and Hi-Tec apparel in Seasons 1 and 2. Other sponsors over the following two years included Chevy Trucks, Weider Nutrition and Michelin Tires.
John Viehman was Series Host for the first three seasons (45 episodes) of Trailside, from 1992-1995. Backpacker magazine also remained involved with the series during this time. Viehman went on to create a new outdoor adventure series on PBS, "Anyplace Wild," which aired from 1997 through 2001.